ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Science & Technology
Scientists from four BRICS countries to carry out genomic sequencing and mathematical modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic
Indian Scientists, in partnership with Scientists from China, Russia and Brazil, will carry out genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and studies on the epidemiology and mathematical modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will help trace genetic mutations, recombinations as well as distribution of the virus and also make projections about the future of its spread.
A whole-genome sequencing is required for identification of genetic mutations and recombinations of the virus, while epidemiological studies can help assess its distribution. Mathematical modelling is required to assess its future spread.
Keeping this in mind, a research plan has been made by including expertise of scientists and engineers from diverse backgrounds. A consortium consisting of Dr Ch Sasikala, Professor, Centre for Environment, Institute of Science and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, Yuhua Xin, Professorate Senior Engineer Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, Ivan Sobolev, Senior Researcher, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova, Russia, Dr Marilda Mendonça Siqueira, Respiratory Viruses and Measles Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will carry out different arms of this BRICS-Multilateral Research and Development Project.
Under this research supported by the Department of Science and Technology, India and Brazil sides will assess distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples through metagenome analysis for wastewater-based epidemiology  surveillance. Chinese and Russian scientists will carry out the Real-Time PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 in biological material  from patients with symptoms of respiratory diseases and investigate the genomic variability, comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis.
The genomic, metagenomic and epidemiological data from India, China, Russia and Brazil will be integrated to develop mathematical models for mutations analysis, population genetics, phylogenetic relationship, recombination analysis and risk evaluation to reveal spread network and dynamics of the virus. This can help trace spread routes and dynamics of the virus. The database developed by the different groups will also compare the distribution and survival of the virus in the different regions and establish the surveillance of the relevant early warning system.
The collaborative research plan has been developed considering the strengths of international collaborators from the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences of China, Federal Research Centre of Fundamental and Translational Medicine of Russia and Respiratory Virus and Measles Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute of Brazil. The study will provide a common platform to share and analyse the data of four different countries and understand the spread routes and transmission dynamics of virus.
For further details, Dr Ch Sasikala  can be contacted.
To know more about BRICS STI Framework Programme, visit
Prime Minister's Office
PM accepts invitation to address Joint Meeting of the United States Congress
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi is honoured to accept the invitation to address Joint Meeting of the United States Congress by Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House. The Prime Minister expressed pride in Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the US built upon the foundation of shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and an unwavering commitment to global peace and prosperity.
Replying to a tweet by Kevin McCarthy, Speaker of the House of the United States of America, the Prime Minister tweeted;
“Thank you Kevin McCarthy, Mitch McConnell, Charles Schumer, and Hakeem Jeffries for the gracious invitation. I am honored to accept and look forward to once again address a Joint Meeting of the Congress. We are proud of our Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership with the US, built upon the foundation of shared democratic values, strong people-to-people ties, and an unwavering commitment to global peace and prosperity.”
Election Commission
Foreign delegates visit IIIDEM Campus
The India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management  organized a special visit for foreign delegates from Election Management Bodies and International Organizations at its upcoming state-of-the-art campus in Dwarka, Delhi. Participating Dignitaries from Australia, Bhutan, Guinea, Moldova, Zambia and representatives from International IDEA and IFES visited the campus and learnt about the various facilities provided by IIIDEM.
Delegates at the new IIIDEM campu
Deputy Election Commissioner Mr. Sudeep Jain gave an overview of the new IIIDEM campus to the delegates. Highlighting the features and facilities, Mr. Jain said that the Institutional Block of the campushas a capacity to hold trainings for 1,000 people in 12 batches simultaneously. The campus has an AuditoriumBlock with a capacity of 450 persons and also comprises of a Hostel Block with an accommodation of100 rooms.Mr. Jain also shared the vision, mission, and various activities of IIIDEM and invited the delegates and their EMB officials to participate in the capacity building programmes at its new campus and leverage the facilities provided to achieve better and professionally managed elections across theglobe. The visit concluded with plantation of saplings in the campus by the dignitaries, encouraging a greener and cleaner environment
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Ministry of Defence
Indian Coast Guard rescues seven fishermen off Tillanchong Island
Indian Coast Guard  located and rescued a distressed fishing boat ‘RSN-TWO’ with seven crew onboard off the Tillanchong Island, approximately 350 kms south of Port Blair, on July 01, 2021. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre , Port Blair received a distress alert at around 1130 hrs on June 30, 2021. Since the alert was activated from an unregistered Distress Alert Transmitter , ICG shared the information with the Fisheries authorities which said that the boat, with seven crew onboard, had left Port Blair on June 28, 2021 for fishing.
A co-ordinated search and rescue operation was launched immediately and ICG ship C-422 from Kamorta was tasked for search in the area. To further augment the search efforts, ICG ship Vishwast and Dornier aircraft were deployed. The coordinated search operation resulted in timely locating of the fishing boat. On establishing communication, the boat reported machinery breakdown due to a defect in the gearbox.
The crew was provided with basic necessities and first aid by ICG boarding team and the boat was taken under tow by ICG ship Vishwast for passage to Kamorta due to the prevailing inclement weather. All the crew are reported to be safe and healthy. The ICG is maintaining continuous communication with the boat owner and Fisheries authorities.
ABB/Nampi/KA/DK/Savvy
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Ministry of Law and Justice
Department of Justice participates in New Delhi World Book Fair to celebrate “Its My Duty”
A Kiosk is set up for reading Preamble and obtain Certificate
 on “Constitution and Citizens’ Duties” has been set up in this World Book Fair organized by National Book Trust for the above period. The Stall displays “Digital Exhibition” that includes facts relating to Constitution, Constituent Assembly, excerpts of speeches of the founding members of the Constituent Assembly.
A “Kiosk” for reading of Preamble has been set up to extol all especially children to read the Preamble and obtain a certificate of reading the Preamble.
A quiz competition on “Constitution and Citizens Duties” will be organized for school children on 7th and 9th January, 2020 in the Theme pavilion in World Book Fair, Pragati Maidan with exciting prizes.
A Preamble & Fundamental Duties Wall has been placed outside the main hall and another prominent place so that public at large could read the Preamble and Fundamental Duties know more about the Constitution and show their commitment to the Preamble & Fundamental Duties enunciated in the Indian Constitution.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Results of preliminary round of first ever Fit India Quiz declared, UP students top Preliminary Quiz Rounds
Key Highlights
- Divyanshu Chamoli of Delhi Public School, Greater Noida won the top spot, he was closely followed by Shashwat Mishra of Sunbeam School, Lahartara, Varanasi
- The preliminary round of the Fit India Quiz, saw participants from 13,502 schools from more than 659 districts across the country, out of which students of 361 schools across 36 States and Union Territories have now been shortlisted for the State Rounds
- The Quiz has a prize money of 3.25 crores which will be given out to winning schools and students at various phases of the quiz
The results of the Preliminary Round of the first-ever Fit India Quiz, India's biggest sports and fitness quiz for students was announced today, amidst anticipation about which state has topped the ranking in the first round. Results of the nation-wide competition organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has revealed that two students from Uttar Pradesh have outperformed students from all other states to become the top scorers of the Preliminary Round.
While Divyanshu Chamoli of Delhi Public School, Greater Noida won the top spot, he was closely followed by Shashwat Mishra of Sunbeam School, Lahartara, Varanasi.
Among girls, the duo was followed by Arkamita of Baldwin Girls High School, Bengaluru, who is also the top scorer for the state, Karnataka.
The preliminary round of the Fit India Quiz, saw participants from 13,502 schools from more than 659 districts across the country, out of which students of 361 schools across 36 States and Union Territories have now been shortlisted for the State Rounds. The Quiz has a prize money of 3.25 crores which will be given out to winning schools and students at various phases of the quiz.
The Preliminary round of the quiz was conducted by the National Testing Agency, the same institution that conducts the IIT and JEE entrance exams. Top scorers of the Preliminary round will move into the state round and compete to become their respective state champions.
The 36 school teams  will then move to the National Round that would take place later this year and would be telecast on Star Sports & webcast on multiple social media channels.
The winners of the quiz at each level would win cash prizes  and the honour to be called India's 1st Fit India State/National level Quiz Champion.
The main aim of the quiz is to create awareness among students about India’s rich sporting history and to also tell them more about India’s centuries-old indigenous sports and our national and regional sporting heroes.
PIB Headquarters
KVK launches farm service centre to support farmers
In an effort to combat shortage of skilled labour for farming activities in the district, the Ernakulam Krishi Vigyan Kendra  of the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute  has launched a farm service centre equipped with a wide range of farm machineries and equipments to offer paid services in all kinds of farm initiatives. Aqua, animal and agri farmers of Ernakulam district can avail the facility.
The centre will offer all kinds of farm supports to the farmers using the machineries such as tractors, power tiller, power weeder, different types of ploughs, rotavators, earth augers, motorized and hand operated sprayers, paddy transplanter, agro waste shredder, slurry pump, water pump etc. In addition, scientific advisories will be provided during the farm visits.
Dr A Gopalakrishnan, Director of CMFRI who inaugurated the functioning of the farm service centre, said the new initiative from the KVK will be beneficial to hundreds of farmers in the district who are struggling owing to the shortage of technically trained labourers. The farm service centre has been set up with a cost of Rs. 40 lakhs under a project of the Union government to popularise the mechanised farming, he said. “Presently, trained staff of the KVK provides thse technical services such as land preparation, pond preparation, fish cage fabrication, ploughing and so on. Self-help groups will be formed in the future to make available the farm services to large-scale farmers in future. More equipments and machinery will be added soon”, he added.
“Now, the farm service centre is focusing on the seasonal works of paddy land preparation as the monsoon has arrived”, said Dr Shinoj Subramannian, Senior Scientist and Head of KVK. Those who are in need of farm services may register their names with the KVK at 8089434479 to avail the service of the centre. Those who are trained in agro machinery operation and interested to take part in this mission can also register their names in the above number.
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Ministry of Home Affairs
Government set up high level committee chaired by Union Home Secretary to check mob lynching
GoM headed by Union Home Minister to consider its recommendations
Government is concerned at the incidents of violence by mobs in some parts of the country. Government has already condemned such incidents and made its stand clear in the Parliament that it is committed to upholding the rule of law and adopting effective measures to curb such incidents.
As per the Constitutional scheme, 'Police' and 'Public Order' are State subjects. State Governments are responsible for controlling crime, maintaining law and order, and protecting the life and property of the citizens. They are empowered to enact and enforce laws to curb crime in their jurisdiction.
Accordingly, Ministry of Home Affairs has, from time to time, issued advisories to States/UTs for maintenance of public order and prevention of crime in their areas of jurisdiction. An advisory on addressing the issue of lynching by mob on suspicion of child lifting was issued on 04.07.2018. Earlier, an advisory was issued on 09.08.2016 on disturbances by miscreants in the name of protection of cow.
Government respects the recent directions of the Supreme Court on the issue of mob violence, and has issued an advisory to State Governments urging them to take effective measures to prevent incidents of mob violence and lynching and to take stringent action as per law. The State Governments have been advised to implement the directions issued in the matter by the Supreme Court on July 17, 2018.
In order to formulate appropriate measures to address the situation, Government has set up a high level committee chaired by the Union Home Secretary to deliberate in the matter and make recommendations. The Secretary, Department of Justice, Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Secretary, Legislative Department and Secretary, Social Justice and Empowerment are the members of the committee. The committee will submit its recommendations to the Government within four weeks.
Government has further decided to constitute a Group of Ministers headed by the Union Home Minister to consider the recommendations of the high level committee. The Minister, External Affairs, Minister, Road Transport and Highways; Shipping, Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Minister, Law & Justice and Minister, Social Justice and Empowerment are the members of Group of Ministers. The Group of Ministers will submit their recommendations to the Prime Minister.
Special Service and Features
Straightened Bravo Taxiway Commissioned at Chennai Airport
Capping off its continuous efforts to augment airside capacity, the straightened ‘Bravo’ taxiway  at Chennai Airport was commissioned and put to use, today. The operationalization of straightened B -TWY will ensure safe and expeditious movement of aircraft resulting in significant increase of the existing Primary Runway  handling capacity. The reconfigured parking bays 01 to 05 were also operationalised.
Straightening work:
The Bravo Taxiway is the primary taxiway, that runs parallel to the Primary Runway of Chennai Airport, which caters to 90% of the Domestic, International and Cargo movements. Earlier, the B- taxiway had a curve at the Guindy end  which resulted in certain restrictions leading to aircraft holding thereby consuming more time and fuel for departing flights taxing from terminal to primary runway for take-off. The straightened portion of B- TWY will ease the situation and will ensure faster movement of flights by avoiding delays while taxing, precisely during peak hour traffic.
The long pending issue of Minimum Separation Distances i.e., the Alpha Taxiway  located at 123M from the centerline of Primary Runway 07/25 instead of 172.5M is also complied with operationalization of straightened portion of B TWY. Also, the restrictions in place for using A-TWY when RWY 25 in use is laid to rest.
With the commissioning of B-Taxiway and the ongoing Rapid Exit Taxiway 1&2 works progressing briskly towards completion, the peak hour handling capacity of Chennai Airport is expected to increase to 45-50 movements /hr from the existing 36 movements/hr.
The straightening work commenced in 2018 received DGCA approval in April 2022, is set for commissioning after notifying through Aeronautical Information Publication  and completing all other codal procedures, according to the Press Release issued by Shri L Vishnudas, Manager , AAI, Chennai Airport.
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Ministry of Finance
Dr Vivek Joshi, Secretary, DFS, chairs review meeting of financial performance of Regional Rural Banks 
Dr. Vivek Joshi, Secretary, Department of Financial Services , chaired a meeting here today as a part of symposium on ‘Strengthening financial sustainability and operational viability of Regional Rubal Banks  being conducted at College of Agricultural Banking, Pune on 11-12th May 2023. Also present were Additional Secretary DFS, Chairman NABARD, CGM RBI, MD/EDs of Sponsor Banks and Chairpersons of RRBs to review the performance of Regional Rural Banks .
During the meeting, the progress made by RRBs on various parameters fixed in their respective viability plans were reviewed. It was noted that there has been substantial improvement in the financial performance of RRBs in 2022-23 as compared to 2021-22. The need for technology upgradation of RRBs, strategies for NPA reduction, IT initiatives, improving financial inclusion, enhancing credit delivery to rural areas and support being given by sponsor banks to the RRBs were other issues that were discussed in the meeting.
Dr. Joshi, while addressing the gathering, emphasised that Sponsor Banks, in partnership with NABARD, need to proactively handhold their respective RRBs for facilitating technology adoption so as to enable them to serve their customers more efficiently. Dr. Joshi also urged RRBs to redouble their efforts for achieving the targets fixed in the Viability Plans within the next one year itself.
Ministry of Communications
Delhi Postal Circle makes special arrangements for acceptance of Christmas / New Year Greetings mail
Delhi Postal Circle has made special arrangements for acceptance of Christmas / New Year Greetings mail at 34 Post Offices and 2 RMS Officers located at Railway Stations as given below from 16.12.2020 to 30.12.2020. Separate counters are being set up at these Post Offices to facilitate acceptance and quick disposal of these mails during the period .
These centers are being made available in addition to the existing Post Officers. Which will continue to accept all categories of mail including Christmas and New Year Greetings.
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Ashok Vihar HPO-110052
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New Delhi GPO-110001
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Civil Lines PO-110054
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20
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New SubziMandi PO-110033
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Chankyapuri PO-110021
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Naraina Ind. Estate HPO-110028
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Delhi GPO-110006
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Patel Nagar PO-110008
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Delhi Cantt. PO -110010
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PaschimVihar PO-110063
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HauzKhas PO 110016
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Ramesh Nagar HPO-110015
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Indraprashta HO -110002
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25
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Rohini Sector-7 PO-110085
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Janakpuri PO-110058
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R.K.Puram Sector-5 PO-110022
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Krishna Nagar HPO-110051
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R.P.Bhawan PO-110004
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Karol Bagh PO-110005
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Sansad Marg HPO-110001
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Keshav Puram/Onkar Nagar PO-110035
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Sarojini Nagar HPO-110023
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Kalkaji HPO-110019
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SRT Nagar PO-110055
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Lodi Road HPO-110003
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Seelampur PO-110053
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Lajpat Nagar PO-110024
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Sriniwaspuri PO-110065
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Malviya Nagar PO-110017
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SaraswatiVihar PO-110034
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MalkaGanj PO-110007
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R.K. PuramPO-110066
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Mehrauli PO-110030
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Delhi Railway Station , Transit Mail Office-110006
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Mayapuri PO-110064
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New Delhi Railway Station Transit Mail Office -110001
Ministry of Labour & Employment
Special Campaign 2.0 and Special Swachhta Campaign 2.0 in EPFO
99% of the target  Public grievances successfully resolved
Rs 19 lakhs revenue generated by disposal of scrap
5 lakh files reviewed, 95788 disposed
Facilitation of Jeevan Praman for paralyzed pensioners carried out
EPFO exceeds the targets set under Special Campaign 2.0
EPFO has led from the front in Special Campaign 2.0 and Special Swachhta Campaign 2.0 since the launch of the programme on 2nd October, 2022. It achieved significant progress in disposal of pending matters under Special Campaign SCDPM 2.0. While more than 5 lakh physical files  out of a set target of 414470 files have been reviewed, more than 95788 files which have lost their purpose have been weeded out. Further approximately 2806 e-files have been reviewed for closure and more than 2794 e-files have been effected signifying the prompt disposal of routine matters. Simultaneously, in the realm of grievances, EPFO has disposed of approximately 2390 public grievances out of a set target of 2408 grievances.
During the Swachhta Campaign 2.0, EPFO had identified 16 Campaign sites in various categories of urban, semi-urban and remote areas which have gone under major transformation in their physical infrastructure and working atmosphere. In addition, EPFO has carried out cleanliness drive in 945 sites against the target of 726 sites generating a revenue of approximately 19 lakhs by disposal of scrap and other unusable material.
EPFO has taken Special Initiative for adopting best practices during Special Campaign. Regional Office, Chandigarh has initiated a campaign to do Jeevan Praman of bedridden/ paralyzed pensioners at their homes through face authentication application. Further Regional Office, Jodhpur and Regional Office Gorakhpur have taken initiative for providing wheelchair facilities to old age and specially abled visitors. Regional Office, Rajkot has started an initiative titled “Jeevan Praman Rath” for visiting the homes of for old age/ specially abled pensioners for facilitation of their Jeevan Praman .